UNH greenhouse gives glimpse of spring

Friday

Mar 31, 2017 at 5:51 PMMar 31, 2017 at 5:51 PM

Ron Cole

DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire is offering this weekend, an antidote to the apparent March going out like a lion snowstorm.

Every year, area residents look forward to a visit to the Macfarlane Research Greenhouses on the UNH Campus. Friday provided that opportunity as a steady stream of people arrived, many of them before the impending bad weather.

“I was planning on coming (Saturday),” said Oona O’Neill, of Barnstead. “But decided today would be a better idea.”

Oona was researching some landscaping ideas for her Parker Mountain Road residence and found some instruction available from the display set up by the New Hampshire Landscape Association.

Jim Rivet, of Madbury, a long time landscape professional, was there to assist people as they planned for spring.

Not only were there selections for people looking at plants and agricultural advice, but UNH Marine Educators, a volunteer organization, were there to advise of the many programs available, things like trips to the Isle of Shoals as well as biologically oriented trips to the Great Bay, and even boat building.

Since many were oriented towards gardening, Jesse King advised of a boat trip to Appledore Island to visit famous poet Celia Thaxter’s garden.

Friday visitors had many things to interest them, including how to create a water feature in a home garden. Also, they were educated as to why they should eat more berries and even how to grow small fruit in a home garden.

Researchers also presented programs on vegetable and fruit breeding. A presentation on aquaponics, was effectively led by Dr. Todd Guerdat, who captivated many with his descriptions of the UNH’s Project Oasis, Optimizing Aquaponic Systems to Improve Sustainability.

The Spring Open House gives many an opportunity to purchase plants to be taken home for use.

Karen Spillane, of South Berwick, Maine, had taken prior advantage of the plant sale and was happy to arrive on Friday. She departed from the greenhouse with a box full of plants including the featured plant of the weekend — the pansy.

The focus for many was psychological as the event for them was the beginning of spring.

The Open House continues Saturday, April 1, at the Macfarlane Greenhouse from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.